Ilya Schar was born in Moscow in 1945. In his youth Ilya would often visit the Tretyakov Gallery and the Pushkin Museum where he developed an appreciation for painting and took art classes at both venues.

Ilya studied oral surgery at Moscow Medical Dental University. He began creating contemporary gem paintings in the 70's while practicing as a dental surgeon. In 1979, his family moved to Germany where they lived until 1999. He moved to the U.S. in 1999 and began exhibiting his work in art galleries and museums. Ilya currently resides in Beverly Hills, CA.bo